P.F. 17 peach tree

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree having the following unique combination of desirable features: 
     1. Producing a very firm fruit having a resilient flesh texture. 
     2. Blossoms are partially non-showy when in full bloom. 
     3. A substantially spheroidal fruit with an attractive red skin coloring over a majority of the surface. 
     4. A late maturing fruit of good taste. 
     5. A late maturing (after maturity of Redhaven peach) fruit of good storage and shelf life.

ORIGIN OF VARIETY

The new variety of peach tree (hereinafter referred to as the P.F. 17peach tree) was originated by Paul Friday in the experimental orchardmaintained for the purpose of breeding of Paul Friday Farms Inc.,located in Coloma, Mich. Coloma is located in the southwest section ofMichigan. The P.F. 17 peach tree was developed in a first generationcross between two seedlings.

The female parent and the male parent are each deliberately selectedones of peach trees of unknown origin grown in the experimental peachtree breeding orchard of the Paul Friday Farms Inc. The male and femaleseedling were grown at the Paul Friday Farms Inc.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree was asexually propagated bybudding as performed in the experimental orchard of Paul Friday FarmsInc. located in Coloma, Mich. The asexual propagation demonstrates thatsuch reproduction of the characteristics of the tree are consistent andare established and transmitted through succeeding propagation.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree is of moderate upright growthand a regular and productive bearer of peaches. The blossoms arecontracted or partially spread when in full bloom. At the same time thepetals of the blossoms are of lesser length than the length of petals ofthe normal showy blossom as exemplified by the Loring peach.

The blossoms of the present peach tree at full bloom may becharacterized as being partially showy; i.e., neither non-showy such asthe Redhaven or showy such as the Loring peach blossom. Morespecifically, the blossoms of the present peach tree have radiallyprojecting and angularly spaced five blossom petals projecting upwardlyat an inclined angle so as to form a blossom having a diameter of about3/4 measured across the blossoms. This partially showy blossom is incontrast to the showy blossom of the Loring peach type wherein theblossom petals are substantially flat and the diametrical measurementacross the free outer edges of the petals is about 1-7/16". The typicalnon-showy blossom as exemplified for example by the Redhaven peach hasfive (5) radially extending and angularly spaced petals projectingupwardly at a relatively steep inclined angle so that the diametricalmeasurement across the outer edges of the petals is about 1/2".

The flesh of the fruit of the present peach tree is firm and is yellow.

The skin is smooth and is of dark color over about eighty (80%) percentof its surface at maturity. The red color occurs over about sixty (60%)percent of the surface about 10 days prior to maturity. At maturity thepeach is substantially spheroidal with the diameter ranging betweenabout 21/2 to 3 inches.

The fruit has a firm flesh and may be described as resilient to theextent that the flesh is yieldable and restorable to its original statewhen subjected to impact forces which may cause permanent deformaties inpeaches of the commercial varieties. The firmness of the fruitfacilitates handling and packaging of the peaches without damaging thesame for shipment. This results in less spoilage and also increases theshelf life.

The fruit matures in the latter part of the peach growing season ofSouthwestern Michigan. The fruit as mentioned heretofore is of red colorover about eighty (80%) percent of its spheroidal surface and has a veryattractive appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographic illustrations show a typical specimen ofthe fruit and the foliage of the new variety, with the upper and lowersurface of the leaves and an exterior and sectional view of the fruitwith the stone removed. The illustrations were taken shortly after beingpicked at maturity (firm ripe) and the colors as nearly true asreasonably possible in a photographic color representation.

The second photograph illustrates the flowers and buds of the P.F. 17peach tree along with the flowers and buds of the P.F. 23 peach treedescribed in applicant's co-pending application, Ser. No. 07/726,251filed Jul. 5, 1991 concurrently herewith and the flowers and buds of theLoring peach tree and the Red Haven peach tree.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIETY

The detailed botanical description of the foliage and fruit of the newvariety of peach tree is based upon observations of the specimens grownat Coloma, Mich. with the color terminology, other than the terminologyexpressed in common terms, in accordance with the Panatone MatchingSystem (PMS) as used internationally to identify printed colors.

Tree:

Height.--Unpruned, 19'.

Width.--Unpruned, 10'.

Size.--Medium-large.

Vigor.--Medium vigor terminal growth of 1 to 4 per year.

Density.--Medium pruning requirements heavy.

Form.--Upright.

Production.--Productive, approximately 1/2 of the fruit annually.

Bearer.--Consistent.

Disease resistance to bacterial leaf and fruit spot.--Very good.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium-to stocky.

Surface.--Smooth to medium shaggy.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Surface.--Smooth to medium.

Lenticels.--Medium number and medium size.

Color.--Grayish brown.

Leaves:

Size.--Large -- Average length 61/2" to 7". Average width -- 13/4".

Form.--Lanceolate -- pointed.

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Margin.--Serrate.

Peticole.--Medium length-medium thickness.

Gland.--Number varies from 1-4. Average 3. Located on base of leaf andupper portion of petiole.

Color.--Upper surface: green (350c). surface: dull green (349c).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Flowers:

Blooming period.--Apr. 7, 1990 to Apr. 14, 1990.

Size.--Medium or partially showy petal pattern (about 3/4 inchdiameter).

Pollen.--Present, self-fertilizing.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--Aug. 23, 1990 (About 15 days after pickingRedhaven -- Aug. 8, 1990. Fruit matures very evenly and can be picked intwo pickings.).

Date of last picking.--Aug. 27, 1990.

Size.--Large sphere. Average diameter -- 23/4".

Form.--Spherical.

Suture.--Very shallow.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Tough, tenacious to skin.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Down.--Moderate to little.

Color.--Yellow ground color (134c). Nearly overspread (80%) with red(174c) to (173c).

Flesh:

Texture.--Firm similar to a cling peach.

Ripens.--Relatively even.

Flavor.--Good.

Aroma.--Pleasant.

Eating quality.--Excellent.

Color.--Yellow (14c) to (13c). Pit cavity grayish yellow (15c).

Stone:

Type.--Freestone.

Size.--Average length -- 11/2". Average width -- 3/4". Average thickness-- 1/2".

Form.--Ovid.

Base.--Straight.

Apex.--Pointed.

Sides.--Nearly equal.

Surface.--Irregularly furrowed.

Color.--Brown to reddish brown.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Use: Desert.

Shipping quality: Good.

Keeping quality: Excellent.

The tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detail as aresult of differences in climatic or soil conditions or culturalpractices under which the tree may be grown. It is to be understood thatthe description of the new variety as set forth herein is that of thetree grown under the ecological conditions prevailing at Coloma, Mich.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct varity of peach treesubstantially as illustrated and described as large size, vigorous andupright in growth and a regular and productive bearer of large size,yellow flesh freestone fruit with good flavor and eating quality; andbeing further characterized by a partially showy blossom of about 3/4"diameter when in full bloom, said fruit at maturity being ofsubstantially spheroidal shape with firm flesh and a red skin colorcover 80% of the fruit, said maturity occurring about 15 days aftermaturity of the Redhaven peach.